novelraw Chapter 102: Competing for Resources
Chapter 102: Competing for Resources
Chapter 102: Competing for Resources The elders were overly emotional and dramatic, constructing the scene and atmosphere with great smoothness, but they also managed to balance emotion with fact.Their excessive exaggeration indicated that they were not incompetent; their core duties were handled well.
They simply wanted to vividly convey their needs to the boss in today's scenario.
However, it was too vivid, forcefully imposing immense psychological pressure on the master of the Zhao Clan!
The Zhao Family Head supported his forehead, his eyelids slightly lowered.
As the performance below heated up, he also put on a mask of suffering.
He truly didn't want to look!
Around this time last year, he had reviewed the accounts and found a surplus.
Leaving it in storage was a complete waste, so he asked a few old brothers to discuss their respective predicaments. He would then allocate the account balance based on each party's needs.
The Zhao Family Head had always been generous when it came to supporting the army.
He could live frugally himself, but military expenses could not be delayed!Food, supplies, whatever they needed, he provided!
However, once the door was opened, these people seized the opportunity!
This year was even worse.
They came to a meeting, and even changed into performance costumes!
The direction of the meeting was as expected, but facing it directly, the Zhao Family Head couldn't help but feel a wave of exhaustion.
He glanced at the burning incense beside him.
It was about time, and the subordinates had expressed what they wanted to say. So, the Zhao Family Head waved his hand.
The three factions below wisely stopped their performance.
If they continued acting, Boss Zhao would truly be angry, which would be counterproductive.
However, their eyes were filled with anticipation as they looked at the Zhao Family Head, waiting for him to make the final decision.
Yet, the Zhao Family Head's gaze swept past them and landed on Wen Gu, who was sitting at the far end.
His gaze paused slightly on Wen Gu's coarse cloth clothes.
He didn't know who had secretly informed Wen Gu; their styles were remarkably uniform.
He hoped Wen Gu hadn't been led astray by these people!
The Zhao Family Head had initially thought that since Wen Gu had made significant contributions, he would indeed cultivate this junior. That's why he started letting Wen Gu participate in high-level meetings to get to know these seniors.
However, the first meeting of the new year was not good for young people. From the beginning of the meeting until now, Wen Gu had been silent.
He didn't know if he had been greatly psychologically impacted.
Since he was here, he might as well let the young man participate more and have a say.
So, the Zhao Family Head said, "Wen Gu, you speak too. What difficulties or plans do you have? Feel free to discuss them."
After speaking, the Zhao Family Head, as if still worried, emphasized, "Be calm!"
State the facts objectively, express yourself subtly!
Don't just start crying about hardships!
Wen Gu stood up and bowed. He did not appear flustered or awkward, nor did he exhibit the exaggerated emotional overflow of the elders.
Instead, he exuded the rationality and subtlety of a scholar from a humble background. His demeanor was sincere and upright.
The faces of everyone present immediately became solemn, and they grew wary.
Pei Jun, who was also playing the role of a fallen noble today, his gaze sharpened, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.
What? Was Wen Gu, the "Imperial Concubine's relative," going to pretend to be a "humble scholar"?
No way?
This kid wasn't going to learn from them and put on a show, was he?
Could it be that he had planned this long ago?!
Even the Zhao Family Father and Son, sitting at the head, grew anxious.
No way?
Had he already been led astray in such a short time?
However, Wen Gu, standing in the hall, did not say much after bowing.
Nor was he subtle.
How could the matter of funding be expressed subtly?!
It's just that since the previous elders had already performed passionately, he, as the junior, wouldn't put on a show.
He would be direct.
So, Wen Gu calmly and composedly took out a manuscript.
The three army leaders' hearts relaxed.
It seemed he was just going through the normal process.
Relatively speaking, he was indeed subtle.
However, considering what Wen Gu had accomplished before, they remained vigilant and began to speculate.
What was written in the manuscript?
Was it Jingxing District and Wanfu Garden, which had caused heated discussions?
But how could the affairs of one district compare to the important matters of their three armies?
Or was it about glass and coal? Or something else?
Telescopes and microscopes were not suitable for discussion here.
What else could it be?
Amidst everyone's speculation, with a nod from the Zhao Family Head, Fu Sheng quickly stepped forward, took the manuscript, and handed it to the Zhao Family Head.
He didn't look at it and retreated to the side, awaiting orders.
The Zhao Family Head opened the manuscript.
He had initially thought it was about district affairs. Upon seeing the drawing on the first page, his expression immediately became solemn, and he sat up straight, becoming serious.
Seeing the Zhao Family Head's reaction, the group below could no longer maintain their pretense and stared at him.
Boss, give us a sign! Your reaction is making us anxious!
Young Master Zhao, beside him, was curious.
He hesitated slightly and tried to move closer. Seeing that his father hadn't explicitly refused, he stretched his neck to look at the manuscript his father was holding.
As he looked, he didn't quite make out the drawing but saw the four characters "Border Post Station." He immediately couldn't look away and left his seat to get a closer look!
In the manuscript, Wen Gu proposed the suggestion: "To construct defense post stations near the border of Xin Prefecture."
He also drew several concept sketches and some detailed facilities within them.
He was not a professional architect or painter, but the drawing was detailed enough to be understood, making Wen Gu's explanation unnecessary.
At least the Zhao Family Father and Son understood.
The people present stirred with anticipation, their hearts burning with impatience, thinking: What did Wen Gu write inside? The Boss Zhao must say something, right?
Unexpectedly, after reading the manuscript, the Zhao Family Head.
*Slap!*
He closed it again.
The Zhao Family Head skipped this topic entirely, told Wen Gu to return to his seat, and then looked at the others: "Do you have any other important matters?"
Everyone else present: "Huh???"
Does he not plan to let them know for now?
The more he acted like this, the more certain they became that the manuscript's implications were enormous!
"Family Head, aren't you going to tell us?" someone asked, looking at the manuscript.
The Zhao Family Head waved his hand distractedly: "If you have something to say, say it."
Silence fell in the meeting hall for a moment.
They wanted to continue crying and complaining, but everyone's attention had already shifted, and they could see that the Zhao Family Head's mind wasn't on this matter anymore.
The Zhao Family Head had no intention of wasting more time with these people and quickly ended the meeting.
"Alright, that's all for today. It's cold and windy, so wear more clothes on your way back."
He then added, "Wen Gu, stay behind."
Soon, only the Zhao Family Father and Son and Wen Gu remained in the meeting hall, while Fu Sheng guarded the door.
The group that had already left the meeting hall looked back at Fu Sheng guarding the door.
"Guess how much we'll get this time?"
"It's likely less than expected!"
Boss Zhao's account balance had increased, but they might not get the expected amount this time.
Boss Zhao had never cut back on military support funds, but in these times, having more in their pockets brought a sense of security!
The rice jar must always have rice. If it's not full, anxiety sets in, affecting everyone from generals to soldiers!
"This is not good!" someone said.
"I really didn't expect Wen Gu to be so capable; a few pieces of paper achieved his goal!"
"It just depends on how big his appetite is and how much he can eat."
The more Boss Zhao didn't say, the more it proved his seriousness.
The extra items in the Zhao family's warehouse were generally allocated based on importance.
The City Defense Army, Xiànsòu Army, and Patrol Division were all in similar situations.
Basic military funds would not be cut, but who wouldn't want more? Thus, they had all coincidentally decided to cry poverty at today's meeting.
They hadn't anticipated Wen Gu suddenly interfering!
It seemed that Wen Gu would get the first bite of the pie that was placed before them!
"The Family Head is not someone who would favor personal matters in these situations," another person said calmly.
Therefore, what Wen Gu wrote must have caused the Zhao Family Father and Son to change their attitudes, and it certainly wasn't about the affairs of a small district!
Thinking of the telescopes and microscopes before, it made everyone even more curious about what Wen Gu had written.
"Could it be another kind of divine artifact?" someone guessed.
Even if it wasn't at that level, it must have an important function!
They hadn't missed the change in expression on the Zhao Family Head's face the moment he saw the manuscript!
"It's a pity Wen Gu was asked to stay behind!"
If Wen Gu had come out with them, they could have shamelessly asked.
The guarding general of Shuocheng, Wu Yang, spoke in low tones with a few colleagues as they walked out.
"We'll need a new approach next year."
The others strongly agreed.
Everyone knew the reality. Times were hard.
Boss Zhao was just providing them with an occasion to liven things up and ask for more additional support.
Once or twice of playing tricks was fine, but if they did it every time, Boss Zhao would get tired of it, and they still wouldn't achieve their goal.
This time, they had a deep realization: they had performed so hard, yet Wen Gu, without saying a word, received attention.
So…
"We still need to bring out useful things!"
After leaving the small courtyard, they dispersed.
Wu Yang put on the outer robe handed to him by his attendant, covering his patch-covered old clothes.
In Boss Zhao's courtyard, no matter how they acted, they were all family, and there was no shame in being seen as pathetic.
Once outside, they still had to maintain appearances, otherwise, it would be seen as disrespecting Boss Zhao!
If people didn't know better, they might think that anyone affiliated with Boss Zhao could only wear rags.
As Wu Yang walked out, his mind replayed thoughts of Wen Gu.
Just as winter began, Wen Gu had passed through Shuocheng with a group fleeing north. However, he was on a mission and didn't meet him.
But he had heard of this young master's deeds.
At the time, he had casually praised him, saying, "He's a capable person."
Who would have thought that after such a short time, this young master would be able to eat at the same table as them and compete for food from the same basin?
The attendant beside him looked at his general. General Wu's face was full of emotion.
As an attendant, he knew what to ask and what not to say. Therefore, during the chat on the way back, the attendant beside General Wu did not ask about the specifics of the meeting.
Instead, he asked as if gossiping:
"Master, before coming, you mentioned the Zhao family's young master. You said he was allowed to go and gain experience and you thought highly of him.
Did you take care of him? How did he perform today?"
General Wu let out a sarcastic snort.
It wasn't a sarcasm directed at Wen Gu, but a self-deprecating one:
"Take care of him?"
Is it necessary?
Who is taking care of whom?!
This little brat, in his first meeting, dared to compete for food with them from the same basin!
They had cried and performed for so long, and Boss Zhao hadn't reacted.
Wen Gu, however, remained silent with few words, yet the Family Head and Young Master reacted most strongly!
General Wu sighed with emotion:
"As the old saying goes, the dog that bites… cough! It doesn't cry out, but when it does, it's astonishing!"
(End of this chapter)